Food Network's Old Fashioned Spaghetti Meatballs

Capture the essence of Italian comfort food with Food Network's Old Fashioned Spaghetti Meatballs, a timeless recipe that brings together tender, homemade meatballs and a richly flavored tomato sauce. Crafted with a perfect blend of ground beef and pork, the meatballs are infused with Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and hints of garlic for an irresistible savory flavor. Sautéed onions and fresh basil elevate the hearty tomato sauce, simmered to perfection around the meatballs for added depth. Serve this classic over al dente spaghetti for a satisfying meal the whole family will love, and don’t forget to garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan for the ultimate finishing touch. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe is your ticket to a nostalgic taste of Italy, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium White onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons Basil leaves, fresh and chopped
• 1 pound Spaghetti
• 8 cups Water (for boiling spaghetti)
• 1 tablespoon Salt (for pasta water)
• 0 optional Parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 2

Form the meat mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet or plate.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning them carefully to ensure they are browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the meatballs and set them aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, and fresh basil. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and set aside.

Step 7

Serve the spaghetti topped with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4193.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3338.9

Total Fat 179.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 768.8mg	0%
Sodium 11804.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.6g	0%
Total Sugars 50.0g
Protein 198.3g	0%

Vitamin D 55.8IU	0%
Calcium 761.5mg	0%
Iron 29.3mg	0%
Potassium 4627.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.5%

Protein: 23.3%

Carbs: 29.2%